Government unveils V2025 to make Sri Lanka rich
The Government’s economic vision 2025 to promote a knowledge-based highly competitive social market economy towards a rich country was launched in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at a ceremony which was organised devoid of traditional presentations and key note speeches, at the BMICH in Colombo on Monday.
‘Vision 2025’ proposes to build a strong economy through reconciliation and democracy ushering in a change in political culture escaping from the dark shadows of the past.
The government will strengthen the Fiscal Management Responsibility Act while rationalising state expenditure in achieving the targets of V2025.
It will prioritise capital expenditure outlays for development with a comprehensive public investment programmme and implement fiscal reforms to achieve medium to long term targets for macroeconomic stability and an improved investor climate.
Liability management strategies will be introduced for domestic and foreign debt and formulate new trade policy, along with an original national export strategy.
These proposals were among the measures that are to be taken to strengthen the growth framework.
V2025 has outlined 13 areas in policy reforms to make Sri Lanka the hub of the Indian Ocean.
These details were revealed at the ceremony where the highlight was the discussion outlining the vision, instead of normal traditional speeches.
Several young men and women participating in the discussion had the opportunity to ask questions relating to the programme from the President and the Prime Minister, who sat on the podium, for the benefit of the audience.
“A consensual Government is a new concept to everyone. It is new not just for the politicians but for the people and even the world. It brings together two deeply hostile parties with the aim of developing Sri Lanka. Understandably this cannot be done easily,” the President said.
“We have to start thinking communally. We have to think ‘this is for our family, for our children’. Only through unity and consensus of everyone, that we can develop on a common platform shared by all communities,” he said at the discussion with some members of youth parliament and a few youth representatives on the stage.
He emphasised the need for equitable and inclusive development reaping the benefits of new legislations such as the Right to Information and the 19th Amendment.
Answering questions, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that discussions are underway on the 2025 economic reforms programme. Amendments will be made if it is necessary, he said. Stability of the country is essential to go forward, he noted. It will be created for the national government to make Sri Lanka a prosperous country integrating trade, economy and social justice.
He said “We will create environment where the people have the opportunity to gain higher incomes and better standards of living”.